Two-Dimensional Soil Arching Evolution in Column-Supported Embankments with Lightweight Aggregate Fill
Publication: Geo-Congress 2023
ABSTRACT
Lightweight aggregate has a low self-weight and a high friction angle; therefore, it has great potential to be used in column-supported embankments to reduce loads over soft soils. However, the effect of lightweight fill on load transfer, especially soil arching in the load transfer mechanism, is not well investigated. This study performed numerical simulations using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to investigate the soil arching evolution of lightweight aggregates in column-supported embankments simulated by two-dimensional (2D) trapdoor tests considering different densities. The micromechanical parameters were calibrated using the repose angle tests of lightweight aggregates. The gravity deposit method was used to obtain a dense assembly of the embankment fill and the settlement of soft subsoil was simulated by the downward movement of a trapdoor. The fill deformation was analyzed and the stress acting on the trapdoor and its corresponding soil arching ratio were calculated. Numerical results showed that the lightweight fill had smaller deformations than a normal-weight fill. In addition, the lightweight fill resulted in lower vertical stresses acting on the trapdoor and soil arching ratios as compared with the normal-weight fill. This study demonstrates the lightweight aggregate had favorable performance in 2D numerical simulations of trapdoor tests.
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Geo-Congress 2023
Pages: 126 - 134
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Published online: Mar 23, 2023
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